Toxic Mold Testing Procedures

During a typical mold investigation, one of our first steps is an interview the client to determine specific details in regards to any known mold problems, any health complaints, or any known changes or defects at the subject property that may have resulted in mold or moisture problems.

Next, a comprehensive visual inspection is conducted of accessible areas of the Florida property, concentrating in areas of known mold problems, in areas where plumbing fixtures and AC units exist and where condensation problems and moisture damage may exist.

Usually inspections and testing takes us about 2 to 3 hours and around 5 to 10 air samples are taken on residential mold investigations, sometimes more and sometimes less. Most testing firms use Air-O Cells or Micro 5 spore traps, however, CyClex, Andersen and other impactor plates are also used. With these airborne spore testing devices at least one outdoor sample is taken as a control for comparison. Samples are used for measurement of spores per cubic meter of air and for identification of mold genus. Some mold testing firms take air samples from inside suspect walls.

Direct samples of actual mold or moldy materials called bulk samples, or impression type samples of mold using simple clear tape or swabs are sometimes taken as well for identification of mold types. Such sampling methods lets the inspector know the type of mold growing on the surface that was sampled, but this provide less information in regards to your air quality.

Because of high humidity in some area such as Florida, both indoor and outdoor readings of humidity are also commonly taken during mold testing.

Temperature and dew point levels should also be monitored.

A moisture meter should be used to measure moisture levels in representative building materials.

Finally, after sample results are returned from the lab, your inspector will rely upon his or her knowledge of your specific buildings conditions, general building sciences, lab result interpretive skills, and interview information they obtained from you to draw conclusions regarding your mold problem. They should also come up with solutions to the problem as well. Information should be communicated to you in the form of a comprehensive and professional written report.

Some examples of the type of information you should expect to find on your report are as follows:

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